Although your cat's drooling patterns may not be something you think twice about, they actually may be indicative of many different things, from extreme happiness and emotional stress to uncomfortable tooth pain. For the sake of your little one's comfort and health, take note of excessive drooling.
Stress and Fear
Bizarre as it may sound, cats drool when they are extremely stressed out and frightened. If you notice your little one salivating when you take out his allergy medicine, you can be sure that he knows exactly what's up -- and he is in no way happy about it. Since drooling is not especially common in felines, consult your veterinarian to be sure that the excess salivation is indeed stress-related and not a result of any other bigger problem, of course.
Joy
Sometimes, drooling in cats is actually a sign of stress' polar opposite -- happiness, relaxation and contentment. For example, you may notice your fluffball salivating -- and perhaps also purring -- while you pet and snuggle up to her at night. This may just be your cat's automatic bodily reaction to the joyous and comforting stimulation. Along with this non-stressed out behavioral pattern, you may also notice your cat showing you her belly and headbutting you -- both signs of a cat in a very, very good mood. Not stressed out in the least -- phew.
Taste
In some instances, a kitty's drooling may have absolutely nothing to do with her emotional state, whether it is stress or joy. The drooling may be as simple as meaning that she just encountered the flavor of something foul, whether it was the medicine you just administered to her or an accidental licking of pine floor cleaner -- ick. When a cat tastes something markedly unpleasant, it's only natural that she might want to rid her mouth of the taste via drooling.
Medical Conditions
Do not always interpret your cat's drooling as an indication of her current mood or as an automatic taste bud reaction. Drooling can also be a symptom of various serious medical conditions in kitties. Take your pet's health seriously and always look out for any unusual signs and symptoms. Excessive drooling is sometimes related to tooth decay, gingivitis, bee sting, toxicity, heatstroke, rabies, nausea, respiratory infection, feline stomatitis, leukemia, kidney failure and many other ailments. If you notice any atypical drooling, schedule a veterinary appointment as soon as possible to confirm the cause of the wet and messy problem.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.